The importance of recreational soccer

At the YMCA, we have a passion for impacting the youth in our community through purposeful youth programming. YMCA Soccer is a co-ed recreational league where we hope to first give participants an opportunity to have a quality role model and secondly, learn soccer along the way. We expect our volunteer coaches to have the YMCA core values at the forefront of all they do through Y soccer. Our core values are caring, honesty, respect, responsibility and faith. These align closely with the YMCA mission statement: to put Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all.

Soccer in our community is quickly growing. If you are out on a Saturday morning, it is highly likely that you will see hundreds of local kids staying active and having fun at their soccer games on the community fields. We are currently serving 425 kids through youth soccer. We have 42 teams, 57 coach volunteers and 43 sponsors. It takes many moving pieces to come together for impactful programming in our community. This season we are thankful to our league sponsors, Wendy’s and Tim Hortons, for their generous support.

The YMCA focuses on creating opportunities for kids preschool through eighth grade to stay active while learning the importance of being a part of a team. YMCA programs are for all kids in our community regardless of skill level, emotional or physical delays or financial situations. We have a scholarship program that supports kids and families in financial need to be able to participate in YMCA programs and services for up to 75% off membership and program fees.

The benefits of being a part of a recreational youth sport is so important for the overall health in our community. The perks of being active through youth soccer go far beyond the physical health benefits. Playing soccer is also a great way to improve mental health while also boosting confidence, improving focus, better sleep and so much more. We have strong community partnerships with MVNU and MVSA to continue providing positive experiences for all soccer participants at the community fields.